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    Want to get rid of them? Simple. Just become a Contributor level member or above and they will be gone. -> Please click HERE."

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    Google Adsense ad revenue for December, 2025 was just $30 over the cost of the lease for the server running this site. So, in effect, the money providing the incentive for me to continue running this site is coming SOLELY from the paid memberships and sponsorships here. Which honestly ain't much....

Bad Guy - Best Choice Digital / Camera Unlimited

K

KathyLove

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Although it is not a reptile store, many of us buy equipment and film to photo our herps, so thought I might save you some headaches. If it is decided this must be moved to another section, then go ahead and move it. Here is what happened (this has already been posted on whatever photo forums we frequent):

BUYER BEWARE of sister companies in Brooklyn, NY d.b.a. Best Choice Digital / Camera Unlimited. We made the mistake of trying the cheapie price after seeing them advertise on Ebay. It's been over 4 weeks, and we've received nothing of a $900+ order for basic equipment. Fortunately, it was done on a credit card, so it'll only be an inconvenient delay in getting refunded, not a total burn. Mainly the company strung us along on each phone call with excuses, using a different one each time, but still hasn't delivered any part of the order after charging my CC on Feb. 9 for everything. They have stated several times that it was already shipped, but can't provide any tracking # or other proof. They seemed very indifferent to even checking whether it was shipped the first few times we called, until we threatened to charge back the CC. That is when they started saying it had been shipped already. Don't waste your time or money on this place! We have already started the chargeback process.

OTH, we have been dealing with Adorama online photo supplies for years and have been really happy. Guess we won't be trying out any new suppliers from now on as long as our old standby keeps doing a good job, even if it could save us a couple of dollars.

As I said, feel free to move this if necessary, but at least everyone has been warned.
 
I am lucky enough to have a local store that kicks rear end when it comes to equipment and supplies...the online ads are tempting, but the last time I bought a lens over the net, it turned up with a fracture, and took over two months to replace...just not worth the added expense !
Hope your situation gets resolved ok, and thanks for the heads-up !!!

greg
 
Adorama
Click to expand...
They are great as well as B&H and Tri-State.
Great prices, ship right away, and I have never had a complaint with them with any of the transactions.
When I was the CT SOC photographer and doing side work, I spent thousands of dollars with the 3 companies I listed. All were excellent.

Sorry to hear about the hassles you are having. There are some online stores that have great prices and great service.

Hopefully, your CC company can get this resolved for you quickly.
 
If you are interested in higher end used equipment . . .

. . . fredmiranda.com has a buy and sell section that seems to run pretty well, and has a lot of very picky photography people on it. I've always done well, buying lens and accesories for my Canon.
 
I have spent many thousands of dollars at both B&H and Adorama. Both are professionally run and generally great to deal with. I have never worked with Tristate. Several of the others that advertise in the NY Times have tried the "bait and switch" by offering to sell grey market gear saying the advertised item is not in stock. I had one similar experience as you Kathy. Amazingly, the day after the charge was reversed they shipped the item. When it arrived my credit card company advised me to send it back using their UPS or FedEx account (I don't remember the exact details but I remember I did not pay for shipping it back) and blocked them from charging me again.

Bottom line is if a deal looks too good to be true, it probably is.
 
Thought I would give you an update...

About the time the camera shop must have received the chargeback from the credit card is about when they shipped out the camera (what a surprise!) We did get the camera, and it seems to work (but it took more than seven weeks, almost 8 weeks), but none of the other stuff that we paid extra for was in the box. So we may still have to send the whole thing back, or keep arguing with them. Of course, they SWORE that it was mailed out about 3 weeks previously, but that is not what the postmark showed. What a bunch of liars!
 
Kathy,

That story bears a striking resemblance to my experience. Seems to be a common theme.

Live and learn, as it is said. Next time you'll know to do business with a reputable dealer as you have in the past. Less money is not always a better buy.
 
You sure are right about that! Sometimes you think you want to give the "new guy" a chance, especially if it looks like he has what you want at a good price, but it doesn't always work out. But when I do try a new seller, I always use the credit card "just in case" (thank goodness - we would have a real mess on our hands if not for that precaution!).
 
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